January

Lawyers Journal

Ninth Annual In-House Conference focuses on risk management

By Ashley M. Tarchara

January 2012

Numerous attorneys and judges gathered at the Massachusetts Bar
Association for its Ninth Annual In-House Conference on Dec. 9. The
event, co-sponsored by the New England Corporate Counsel
Association, focused on providing in-house counsel with current
risk management techniques.

The conference's panel discussions covered a range of topics,
including the success of the Superior Court Business Litigation
Section Pilot Program, management of litigation risks and dispute
resolution mechanisms, as well the relationship between in-house
and outside counsel.

The conference began with a presentation from keynote speaker
William Sinnott, of the City Corporation for the City of Boston,
who devoted his address to crisis management techniques. The MBA
also introduced five-minute lightning round sessions this year,
which outlined new in-house counsel developments.

"We are creatures of order, planning and preparation," said
Sinnott, who cautioned participants to realize that much like life,
many in-house counsel practices do not lead to order and
predictability. Planning for this unpredictability, while doing
what's best for the client and organization, was the focus of each
panel discussion covered throughout the day. n

Attorneys who were unable to attend the conference can
purchase a recorded version through MBA On Demand at www.massbar.org/ondemand.